Arab leaders discuss results of Rice's visit, call on Israel to stop building in settlements, lift siege from PA territories

Roee Nahmias|Published: 02.04.08 , 22:08

Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak held a meeting on Wednesday in Cairo, in which Jordan's
King Abdullah II, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took
part. The three discussed a number of issues, including the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the outcomes of the recent Arab summit, which was concluded in Damascus on Sunday.

The Jordanian news agency, Petra, reported that the meeting began with a discussion held by Abdullah and Mubarak as to a number of political issues, after which they were joined by Abbas to discuss efforts invested in the peace process, and the attempt to arrive at a settlement that would allow for a new Palestinian State.

Mubarak and Abdullah stressed the importance of gaining the support of the international community in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and warned against another occasion of failure that, should it occur, would impact the stability in the area.

They called on Israel to fulfill its requirements in the efforts for peace, to stop the construction in the settlements, and to lift the siege from the Palestinian territories.

The three leaders also discussed the consequences of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent visit. Abbas informed the other two leaders about the current situation in the Palestinian territories, and thanked them for their support.

Mubarak updated Abdullah as to the results of his recent visit to Moscow, and described Russia's efforts to hold an international conference similar to the Annapolis Peace Summit held
by the US last fall.

During a press conference following the meeting Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit remarked that the discussion centered on the results of the recent Arab Summit and the Arab initiative towards solving the political crisis in Lebanon.